Come Zil Qadah and hujjaj all around the world start to converge on the blessed valley of Bakkah, which contains the holiest of holy House of Allah - the sanctified and glorified Kabah. Each and every muslim dreams of making this journey atleast once in his lifetime, and those who have been blessed have their memories etched for a lifetime, of the sheer magnitude of the event, whose final culmination on the return to Kabah from Arafa brings spiritual joy and reward.
With the Doa and raza mubarak of our beloved Aqa Moula(TUS) mumineen in larger numbers journey towards the sanctified House and to guide them and to oversee their welfare, both deeni and dunyavi, he sends one from his own household as Ameerul Haj who rightfully guides the adherents to perform the arakeen of Haj as stipulated in our deen and also to look after their day to day needs. This year the revered and learned Shazada Saheb (DM) will be the guiding light of the mumineen hujjaj.
Prior to proceeding for hajj hectic preparations are undertaken, and as the days for departure nears, the hujjaj besides having to fulfil all the formalities, has to meet and interact with all the relatives and well wishes who drop in for iltemas -ul -doa and to wish them safe journey and return. When both body and mind is so engrossed and absorbed, a silent co-traveller, one of our very own, the essence of our very being is also silently but surely making the preparation. In fact it is his journey, the mind and body are mere tools that help the nafs (soul) to achieve the spiritual ecstasy and joy, the Hajj in its true pristine meaning.
Circumventing Kaba, running or walking briskly between Safa and Marvah, the Qiyam at Mina, the ascending of Arafah merely with body but without soul is meaningless. It is an ehsaan of our Moula that we mumineen perform the arkaans of Hajj with true marefat. At each and every stage of Hajj one should feel the presence of his nafs (soul) which is also in journey, in fact it is his journey. As one prepares his body and mind, he has to prepare his nafs (soul) for the journey as well.
This month of Zil Qadah is blessed with the Milad of Syedna Taher Saifuddin Moula (A.Q.) and deriving inspiration from his Qasida Mubaraka - Banul Mustafal Mukhtaare Khayrul Khalaeqi (1374H). I make a humble attempt to create the journey of nafs (soul) as it journeys towards the sanctified and glorified House of Allah.
The unbound love of Aimaat Tahereen, Doat-ul-Mutlaqeen and Aqa Moula (TUS) and his madhe-sana becomes the Guide, who leads and directs the caravan of nufus towards Baitullah al Haram.
The souls of mumineen are feeling refreshed and invigorated by the cooling breeze of affection and boon and they look forward and eagerly await to reach the House of Allah.
Once they arrive at the holy precincts of Kabah, the souls in unison cry aloud. We have come O Lord - to Thee and Thee alone, in total submission. The worldly self and earthly desires, our all baser elements, the senses which have hindered our ascension, have all been subdued O Lord. We have truly arrived in pure joy and rhapsody.
And when the hujjaj reach Madina Munavarra and stand before zarih mubarak of Rasulsllah (S.A.) the longings and thirst of the souls is finally quenched, the dream finally realized and offering hamd to Allah they beseech Him to say salawaat on Mohammad (S.A.) and his revered and most blessed progeny till aeons, till the time the sun continues to cast its radiance.Ameen.
This is my very humble attempt to put into focus the spiritual aspect of Hajj, and I am fully aware of my shortcomings. Do forgive me, if I have not been able to do full justice to the subject. As the hujjaj journey towards Baitullah al Haram, let us all join in offering Hamd to Allah and offer prayers, that may Allah bless our Moula (TUS) with a long and healthy life, till mumineen continue journey towards Baitullah saying Laibaik. Ameen.
Abde Syedna (TUS)